Remembering Bob Doddridge (1942-2005)

Bob Doddridge, Master Woodworker (1942-2005)
By Ian Scott, published in The BUZZ

The recent death of Bob Doddridge, marked the passage of an era for fine craft on PEI. His waterfront studio in Charlottetown, was the source of some of the finest woodworking Islanders have seen, while his influence on students and heritage conservation is equally of the highest order. As a furniture maker, his commissioned work is treasured in public buildings, churches and private collections locally, as well as every province of Canada.

Bob arrived on PEI in 1969 to work with PEI NewStart, a job training program in Montague. He played hockey with the Montague Vikings, and made lifelong friends before going to graduate school in 1971.

I met Bob when we both became instructors at what was eventually called Holland College School of Visual Arts. From 1974 to 1998 he shared his love of woodworking, and passion for high quality design with an entire generation of Island woodworkers. Working every evening and weekend he also remained a prolific craftsman. His finishes allowed full expression of rich natural wood colours with oil-based finishes creating silky smooth surfaces.

Raised in Sillery, a suburb of Quebec City his early success in hockey continued through all his university years. He was leading scorer for Ryerson in Toronto, while graduating in Furniture and Interior Design in 1964. In 1969 he earned a BSc, while on an assistantship at the State University of New York at Oswega, and he completed a Masters in Industrial Arts Education from Ball State University in Indiana in 1972.

After several early renovation projects with friends, Bob tackled the complete restoration of 66 Great George St. which was in a dilapidated block of Charlottetown in 1976. He was one of the first to realize the potential of recreating high quality living spaces within the historic downtown. Creating two attractive units, he lived in the upper apartment, with a Scotch dormer overlooking Province House and the waterfront. The building is now part of the Inns on Great George.

Lacking workshop space, Bob moved to North River Road, renovating again, and created a new waterfront studio surrounded by nature.

Retiring from the College in 1998, he continued to create presentation awards, furniture and large carvings. His work was exhibited during the 70's, 80's and 90's, winning awards, but the testament that will likely remain even stronger is his influence on woodworkers in raising the level of craft design on PEI.

Diagnosed with lung cancer, even when hospitalized in the fall, he was determined to return home daily, where he could assist with completion of the final commissions he had started. It was only after these were completed, that he slipped away on October 30th at the age of 63.

The legacy remains of well designed, substantial creations with the natural warmth of wood revealed - reminding us of values Bob held high. The impact he had will ensure that the name Doddridge will continue to represent the finest of 20th century work, in the enduring way that Isaac Smith's buildings or Mark Butcher's furniture speak of excellence from the 19th century.